It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Misfer Al-Marri, one of the most talented young drivers ever to come through the ranks of the QMMF in Qatar.

Blighted by a recent illness which ultimately proved too much to overcome, Al-Marri was a quite, unassuming and often shy driver, who was popular with everyone in Middle East rallying.

He became the fourth Qatari driver to win the FIA Middle East Rally Championship in 2010 with a Subaru Impreza N16. Like Mamdouh Khayat before him in 1992, Misfer clinched the title with consistent driving on all rounds of the series without taking the undue risks needed to secure an outright victory.

This is a very sad day for everyone connected with the QMMF and the MERC.